Mililani was ranked as high as No. 9 in the Star-Advertiser Top 10. Kamehameha is currently No. 3. Kalani was at No. 3 early in the season. Two OIA teams. One MIL dynasty. Tourney opponents are shooting a cumulative 23 percent from the field. Kamehameha has outrebounded them 134-73.

Of course, the win over Kalani was highlighted offensively by senior Kalina Obrey’s state-tournament record 38 points. In three tourney games, Obrey has 62 points and 33 rebounds. She simply won’t stop working in the paint.

“I was just playing my game and doing what my teammates needed from me. I have their back and they have my back,” said Obrey, who was 11-for-21 from the field and 15-for-23 at the foul line. “I felt good, but it was also a grind. You get tired, but it’s also fun. You want to win. You want to go to the championship. You want to bring the koa (trophy) back home.”

She faced two stellar opponents in the post, Namoa and Kamakawiwo‘ole and advanced with her teammates. Namoa had already battled Obrey in preseason, the rare defender who could match the Warrior’s strength and aggression on the block. Lahainaluna consistently brought a double-team defender when Obrey got touches.

The result: she went 1-for-8 from the field, finished with eight points, six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal.

Kalani doubled well when Obrey faced up to the basket, Kamehameha coach Pua Straight said. Part of that may have been because Kalani’s best post defenders, Kamakawiwo‘ole and Shelby McDaniels, collected early fouls.

“Kalina’s so used to having double, triple teams wherever she goes. I actually thought that their help when she faced up to the bucket was better. They helped in with that,” Straight said. “But when she posted up, they didn’t help as much. So they tried to get the ball out of her hands on the perimeter, and get the ball in her hands on the block. It kind of depends on how teams play, right, on where we try to get her the ball. This game, we wanted the ball in her hands on the post.”

The Warriors’ inside-out game was on display again. The double-trouble attack of Obrey and Noelle Sua-Godinet (10 rebounds, four blocks, four points) was a reliable weapon.

“Langi (Sua-Godinet), I love her,” Obrey said. “She’s a great player. I love playing with her for volleyball and basketball. I love her to death. I know she will always have my back and I will always hers. We work really well together because we look for each other a lot. The rest of my teammates, they’re amazing. I can’t do anything without them.”

Kamehameha was also efficient from deep. The Warriors shot 4-for-7 from the arc, getting two treys from Camille Feary (10 points).

Now the Warriors get one last shot at ‘Iolani. It was Kamehameha that came into ‘Iolani’s gym on Dec. 7 and stunned the Raiders in a 49-45 win, ending their 10-game win streak to begin the season. That increased the sense of urgency for ‘Iolani, which beat Kamehameha 58-45 and 60-48 in subsequent matchups.

‘Iolani is familiar with state-championship peak performance. It was the Raiders’ volleyball team that finished second to Kamehameha during the regular season last fall, then turned around and stunned the Warriors in the state-tourney final.

COMMENTS

JJ
February 9, 2019 6:09 am

Congratulations this HARDWORKING young woman. She played her heart out!!! What a historic night for her. Good luck to Kamehameha and Iolani tonight.

M.T.
February 9, 2019 1:55 pm

Obrey did amazing. But to put in perspective of what Kuehu did back in 2006. Kuehu set the record in the title game.

After 1Q – 18 points
After 2Q – 25 points
After 3Q – 37 points.

She did not play in the 4th Quarter.

After 1Q, Punahou was up over 20 vs. Roosevelt. At that point Punahou let up on the gas. Kuehu was so dominant this game she could have went for 60. In the 1Q Punahou kept feeding her since that was the gameplan. However, the game was over after the 1st. Kuehu got lot of her points in the 2nd and 3rd off putbacks. If they kept the same game plan all game long, Kuehu would have went for 50-60.

Obrey did amazing. Hope she does it again tonight and upsets Iolani.

ballerz
February 9, 2019 9:11 pm

Brandy Richardson called the championship game as the lead ref tonight and once again makes a contraversial call before the end of the game

Burgla
February 10, 2019 11:27 pm

Kalani had a dream team of sorts ; but something went wrong. Their season should have been much more.

ILH
February 11, 2019 8:43 am

Maybe next year Burgla.

It was an exciting year of girls basketball.
Im just glad that Iolani didnt win both basketball and soccer.

What sports next for you to cheer on?

Burgla
February 11, 2019 1:11 pm

Kalani won’t have a team like this year’s again no time soon. It’s about next level now. High school athletics are important and most programs don’t groom our kids properly. If your kid is in a bad situation get them out.

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